Fully funded degrees for Midlands students through national Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme

The Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme, a project under the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills (Nuclear Skills Plan), offers up to 50 students funding worth £50,000 – £27,000 in university fees and a £15,000 subsistence bursary, spread over three years. Students will also be offered summer work placements after years one and two of their degree, each worth around £4,000.

The nuclear sector has long been an important part of the local economy in the Midlands, with key employers including Rolls-Royce, Nuclear AMRC and Ansaldo Nuclear, and the Nuclear Sponsorship Scheme has been introduced to provide opportunities to students who may not have considered university but wish to seek a career in Nuclear.

The scheme is administered by Cogent Skills – the UK’s skills leader for science and technology – and is aimed at increasing social mobility among young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The scheme is one of the projects being delivered by the Nuclear Skills Plan, an industry and government-backed plan to help create the nuclear workforce of the future and fill 40,000 jobs needed in Nuclear by 2030.

Cogent Skills’ Manager Director of Employment Services, Nick Durrington, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are excited about a career in nuclear to pursue a degree without incurring the cost of tuition, while also gaining important help with their living costs and crucial experience in real nuclear employers.

“The nuclear sector is one of the most technologically advanced in the UK and is at the forefront of protecting our energy and national security, not to mention its crucial role in tackling the climate crisis.

“We hope everyone eligible for the scheme will apply – this could be their way into a challenging and rewarding career in this exciting industry.”

To be eligible, students must:

Be a UK, Commonwealth or EEA National with the right to live and work in the UK
Be able to begin university study in a STEM subject in September 2025
Be able to commit to completing a three-year undergraduate degree and subsequent employment

Cogent Skills will be hosting a series of webinars to answer questions on the scheme from education providers and students, further information can be found online

Applications for the coming academic year close on 31st March – for more information, visit Cogent Skills website here